Data Engineer Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota
The median data engineer salary in Rapid City, SD is $106,250 per year, which is 15% below the national median and 2.4% above the South Dakota state average.
Data Engineer Pay in Rapid City: What to Expect (2026)
Rapid City offers a median data engineer salary of $106,250, which is $2,500 above the South Dakota state average of $103,750. Compared to the national median of $125,000, Rapid City pays below the national benchmark for this role.
Rapid City's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.
The salary range for data engineers in Rapid City spans from $66,300 at the 10th percentile to $161,500 at the 90th percentile — a $95,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,000, while senior data engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $153,000. Rapid City is a smaller market (pop. 74,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.
Data Engineer Salary in Rapid City by Experience
In Rapid City, an entry-level data engineer earns around $68,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $153,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
Salary Percentiles in Rapid City, SD
| Percentile | Rapid City |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,300 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000 |
| Median (50th) | $106,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,300 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,500 |
Data Engineer Salary in Other South Dakota Cities
How to Become a Data Engineer in Rapid City
Education
Most data engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Rapid City and the surrounding South Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.
Key Skills
Job Outlook
Nationally, data engineer employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Rapid City may vary based on local industry and population growth.
Find Data Engineer Jobs in Rapid City
Browse open data engineer positions in Rapid City, SD: